Mapping Sandy Areas and their changes using remote sensing. A Case Study at North-East Al-Muthanna Province, South of Iraq

<p>Sandy areas are the main problem in regions of arid and semi-arid climate world that threaten urban life, buildings, agricultural, even human health. Remote sensing is one technologies can be used as an effective tool dynamic features study sandy sand accumulations. In this study, two new indices were developed to separate from non-sandy areas. The first called Normalized Differential Sandy Areas Index (NDSAI) has been based on assumption area lowest water content (moisture) than other land cover classes. second Surface Temperature index (SASTI) which was built surface temperature soil highest. results proposed have compared with previously by researchers, namely Sand Dune NDSI Eolain Mapping (EMI). accuracy assessment showed NDSAI provides very good performance overall 89 %. SASTI isolate many pixels about 86 low 82 It fails classify or vegetation might better desert environments. performing calculated SWIR1 band Landsat satellite SWIR2 same satellite. EMI less robust methods it not useful for extracting surfaces different covers. Change detection techniques comparing lands periods 1987 2017. increase over four decades. percentage 20 % 30 during 2002 2017 1987.</p>